thriftymellon — Michele Hratko

Branding a pop-up thrift store and art show.

As design chair of The Thrifty Mellon, Carnegie Mellon’s student-run thrift club, I spearheaded the design of graphics and promotional materials for our largest event yet: a 2-day pop-up thrift store and gallery show at The Frame Gallery at CMU. We sold donated clothes for $1 each, promoting sustainable and affordable clothing on campus alongside an art show of students’ handmade textile projects. The event was a huge success; we sold over 500 pieces of clothing and had a packed store each day. It was incredible to see lines form out the door as we prepared to open, and see friends gathering in the space.

Graphic Design, Photography, & Exhibition Design

Time: October - November 2024, 3 weeks
Role: lead designer; worked alongside executive team of 6 on event planning
Tools: InDesign, collage

Posters

I designed a system that allowed members of the club to create their own collaged poster within the brand and color guidelines for the event. I then photographed the posters amongst fabric scraps, thread, and buttons to use as social media content. Our theme for the event was “yard sale,” so I leaned into a DIY, hand-done feel for the branding to lean into the friendly, approachable feeling of our club and thrifting.

Motion Graphics

Exhibit Design

We leaned into the yard sale theme by using ladders, crates, and clotheslines to display clothing and signage.

Window Display

I designed the front window display case, using our collaged promotional posters as decorations.

Craft Table

Keeping with the collage theme of the posters, we created a craft table that let visitors create their own quilt squares to be added to a collaborative Thrifty Mellon quilt.

Photo Gallery

Poster Process

I prepared poster templates and collage materials for a poster-making craft session with the Thrifty Mellon’s club members.

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